Laura Bilton is a second grade teacher at Old Town Elementary School in Winston-Salem. She graduated from Wake Forest in 2001 with a degree in business and received a master’s degree in elementary education from East Carolina University in 2004. Laura received National Board Certification in 2008.

The Waddill Award Committee said Laura’s teaching “demonstrates excellence in reaching students of diverse needs” and that she is an accomplished teacher who motivates and inspires her students. The award committee commended Laura on her use of inquiry-based instruction and the excitement that her students exhibit about learning.

Jon Williams received a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in education in 1995 from Wake Forest University and a master’s degree in secondary social studies education from North Carolina A and T in 2007. He currently teaches social studies at Dalton L. McMichael High School in Mayodan, NC. Jon received National Board Certification in 2003 and was the recipient of the “Outstanding Young Educator Award” presented by the Madison-Mayodan Jaycees in 1997.

The Waddill Award Committee commended Jon on the passion for teaching that he demonstrates with his students and found the variety of instructional strategies he uses to engage his students very impressive.